A/N: From one of my prior stories, a guest reviewer asked about Maureen. In the MSW novels, Mort and Adele are divorced, and Maureen is his second wife. She is a delightful woman who loves to experiment at cooking, even though most people try to avoid eating it, and is happy living in Cabot Cove. Most importantly, Jessica becomes friends with Maureen and as Jessica does not have many close female friends, I often choose to mention Maureen in my stories.

Chapter 2

"Oh Jessica, you are a lifesaver!" Eve Simpson called out to Jessica as soon as she entered the high school gym, pulling her by force towards backstage.

Jessica was trapped; all she had time for was an apologetic wave of her hand towards Dennis. "I'm sorry, Dennis. I'll see you later."

"Never fear, Jessica, I see a bar over in the corner. I can entertain myself," he called out, winking at her retreating form.

Taking in his surroundings, Dennis was never short of options. There was a full bar, a silent auction, and if the band in the corner was any indication, soon to be an open dance floor. Surely, he could find a few willing women to dance with once the band started while he waited on Jessica. After all, he knew she was going to be on stage as the mistress of ceremonies after dinner anyway. Better now to find something to keep himself occupied.

S/J

Seth had seen Jessica come into the gym on that jewel thief's arm. He knew he wasn't being fair by thinking of Dennis Stanton that way. Everyone deserved a second chance in life, but he worried that this man would get his hooks in Jessica. Even though he believed she was smarter than that. She could do so much better. Although he had yet to meet a man who was good enough for her since Frank died and he included himself in that judgment. Lord knew, Seth wished he was good enough for her, but he knew better.

That woman was something else though. She waltzed in there looking like a million bucks in that red dress. He had no way to describe it, but it was wrapped around her like a glove, yet the slit went up her leg clear to her thigh when she turned, and he had to stop thinking of that image now or he would be in trouble.

He was glad to see Eve Simpson nab her the moment she came inside, and when Dennis surveyed the room, Seth was quick to make an exit. He would try to find Jessica backstage. He knew he wasn't as kind as he could have been earlier to her, but he worried about her and had a difficult time conveying that without becoming prickly.

The moment that he rounded the corner backstage, he saw her in her red dress, listening to Eve go through the details of the evening. He paused for a moment taking her in, before she could realize he was there. She was stunning and he felt his mouth go dry as he watched her.

He heard Eve go on about something that he had no interest in, but Jessica politely listened, clearly wanting to make sure she knew what her role was tonight. He could sense her anxiety. He was not sure why she was nervous. She had a confident elegance that always appeared as an inherent trait. But he did know that she struggled being the center of attention. Although he would venture to guess that by the time she was actually on stage, no one would have a clue that she was uncomfortable being in the spotlight.

When Eve was pulled away by someone asking about doing the sound checks, she called over her shoulder to Jessica, "Go on out to the stage, Jess. We need to make sure the microphone works."

As Jessica began to follow Eve's instructions, Seth glimpsed the full length of her leg as the wrap dress swished around her body. He almost lost his nerve, as well as the air in his lungs. Almost, but not quite.

"Jess!"

She turned in his direction, surprised to see him, but her smile made his heart pound.

"Jess, I wanted to say…you look lovely."

"Thank you, Seth. You look quite dapper yourself in your tuxedo."

He quirked a smile, feeling shy, but glad she seemed to appreciate how he cleaned up.

"Well, I wanted to wish you luck tonight." She started to say something, but he held his hand up to stop her, so he could finish and tell her what he really needed to say. "Jess, I wanted to apologize for how I behaved earlier."

She looked confused at first, but then her expression cleared. She remembered what had transpired between them.

"Oh," was all she said in reply.

"The fact of the matter is…I am jealous of that man you are with tonight."

She arched her brow at him, before saying, "That man has a name."

"Ayuh, so he does, but who the man is or what his name is, is beside the point. Frankly, I am jealous of any man who manages to gain your time and attention. I know I have no right to behave that way, but—it's how I feel all the same. I'm sorry, Jess."

Her expression had shifted as he spoke. She seemed to soften at his words, even as he watched her take a step closer to him.

"Seth, why are you jealous? Or more importantly, why do you feel you have no right to be?"

While he may want to shout from the rooftops his love for her, he doubted he would ever have the courage to do so. Yet, he wanted to say something.

"Jess, I…"

But his words were cut off, when a flustered Eve hurried backstage screaming Jessica's name. "Jessica! Where are you? We have been waiting for you to do the sound check!"

"Oh Seth, I'll talk to you later!" Jessica called out behind her, before rushing off after Eve.

Seth blew out the breath of air he had been holding. He was not sure if he was grateful for the disruption or dismayed. He could not do anything about it now though, so no use in ruminating over it.

He sighed. Returning to the main part of the gymnasium, he made a cursory pass through the silent auction. There was nothing he particularly needed or wanted, but he did place a few starting bids on items hopefully to get the ball rolling. He had no particular attachment to the community center or desire to help Eve directly, but he did love his hometown and always tried to lend a hand when he could.

While Seth tried to avoid Dennis as long as possible, Dennis was not of a similar mind, seeking him out after making a circuit of the room and the available ladies, promising several of them dances once the band started playing. Guests were beginning to mingle with one another as they perused the silent auction, while another contingent of people waited in line at the bar. Dennis walked up and joined Seth in line.

Dennis offered Seth his hand to shake, "You must be Dr. Hazlitt. I have heard wonderful things about your skills as a medical doctor. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Dennis Stanton."

"Mr. Stanton, I would be remiss if I didn't say I have heard about you as well."

"Good things I hope."

"Well…sounds like the good things are becoming more prevalent."

Dennis smiled widely, saying, "Oh, good. I know my initial impression with the fair Jessica was not positive, but I have done my best to improve my standing."

"For what purpose?" Seth's eyes darkened, as he tried to discern what Dennis could be after. He did not trust the man, even if Jessica did.

Dennis held up his hands in a mock display of innocence. "Only the best intentions, I promise. While she is a beautiful and intriguing woman, she and I both know she could do far better. I am here purely as a friend, and one who is interested in how a small coastal town in Maine keeps a woman as vibrant and worldly as Jessica so attached to it. That's all. I am here for the evening only, and then I am back to Boston in the morning."

Seth nodded at the man, without replying.

Dennis was never one without words, nor was he shy in the least. Boldly, he inquired, "Dr. Hazlitt, forgive me. This is none of my business, yet I find myself unwilling not to ask all the same. Why in heaven's name, have you not made Jessica yours?"

Seth had just taken a sip of whiskey and choked when he heard the man's question.

Dennis awkwardly banged on Seth's back once or twice, before Seth waved him off. "I'm alright." He coughed a few times more, before wiping his mouth and asking the man, "What in tarnation do you mean?"

"Let's not beat around the bush, old chap. That woman thinks the world of you. She talks about you all the time."

"She does?"

Dennis tilted his head at him in thought. "You know that already, surely?"

Seth sputtered, not knowing what to say, "Well, I can't say I knew that for certain."

"Good God, man, take it from me. I am a known cad with women. But Jessica is more precious than a ruby. You treasure those, protect them, and never ever waste them. Do yourself a favor and make your feelings known while you can."

"Well, I'm not sure what to say to that. I'm not sure how she feels exactly."

"But you love her. It's as clear as the nose on your face."

Seth felt his face grow red, even as he grew frustrated at letting his feelings show plainly. "Suppose I do. That doesn't mean that she feels anything more for me than friendship."

"You won't know if you don't say. Don't miss your opportunity. That's all I am saying. I do care for Jessica. I have made a play for her before and she rightly turned me down. But someday, someone else will and she might not turn them down. Let that someone be you, Dr. Hazlitt. I feel quite sure you will be pleasantly surprised at her response if you make an overture."

"Thank you, Mr. Stanton."

"Dennis, please."

Seth nodded, before saying, "Seth, then."

"It's a pleasure, Seth. Why don't we take our drinks to the table and wait for Jessica to be free to join us?"

S/J

Half an hour later, the gymnasium was packed with what felt like the entire population of Cabot Cove. Eve and her volunteers, which had included Seth, had done a knockout job with setting up and decorating the gym in bold colors with fresh flower arrangements on all the tables. Although, Seth was quick to point out that he had nothing to do with the flowers. Jessica had joined Seth and Dennis at their table, where they had saved a seat for her between them. She had been surprised to see them getting along well, but was pleased all the same.

Phyllis Grant was seated on the other side of Dennis, along with Mort and Maureen Metzger as well as Jed Richardson and his wife, Alicia, who together, made up their party of eight. Some of the high schoolers had been hired as waitstaff for the evening and they had done a wonderful job serving and clearing away each course.

While the band had played throughout dinner, with some couples taking short breaks to dance, Jessica was growing increasingly nervous as it got closer to time when she needed to go onstage. She had tried to eat her food, while she listened to the pleasant conversation of her friends surrounding her, but spent much of the meal picking at it, unable to stop the churning in her stomach from sheer willpower alone.

Dennis had already asked her to dance before dessert was served and she had enjoyed burning some of her restless energy off. He had spun her around the dance floor showing off her skill and long legs in her audacious red dress. By the end of the dance, Seth had mustered the courage to butt in for the next dance, knowing it might be his only opportunity before she was whisked away from him to begin her duties on stage.

"Seth, I am glad you seem to be getting along with Dennis."

"He isn't all bad, Jess."

"Oh really? I seem to recall you referring to him as that jewel thief earlier this evening."

"Ayuh, so I did, woman."

"Is that all you can say?"

"Let's just say that we reached an understanding, I suppose."

"Oh, Seth. You can be so…"

"Jessica, it's time to start the entertainment!" Eve called out from a few feet away, interrupting them once again.

Jessica was staring at Seth, as he was still holding her in their dance frame. She crooked a soft smile, before stepping away from him. She was not sure what had happened between the two men tonight, nor was she sure what he was trying to tell her or perhaps not tell her, but she would find out.

Following Eve, she went backstage to begin the evening, wishing the butterflies would leave her stomach.